title: Protein deficiency and treatment of xerophthalmia.
abstract: In a controlled clinical trial of massive-dose vitamin A therapy for xerophthalmia, holo-retinol-binding protein (holo-RBP) response was related to baseline protein status. Corneal healing was more commonly delayed or transient in children with protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), despite the vast majority achieving holo-RBP levels incompatible with severe corneal destruction. Correction of PEM is essential to ensuring a sustained clinical cure, and repeated massive vitamin A therapy is advisable until that occurs.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014985:Xerophthalmia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D014801:Vitamin A